The problem many Gimpers have with the business cards printing out in odd sizes is fact that GIMP offers templates in 72 ppi and 300ppi.

If you open a new image the GIMP default is 480 by 600 pixel image at a 72 ppi resolution. If at this point you enter your card dimensions in INCHES .... 3.5 by 2 inche ..... because the resolution is so low, you'll only get 252 by 144 pixels (which is the 72 ppi resolution for that size). And if you want to print that card in multiples on a standard 8.5 by 11 sheet, you'll find they print way way too small.

Why? Because the GIMP image for that standard paper size ( US-Letter) is 300 ppi. And you don't have enough pixels because you've created your card in only 72 pixels per inch rather than the 300 you need. So your card "shrinks" when you past it into a 300 ppi image.

But you can toss all this tech stuff out the door if you just remember a simple formula. Multiply inches by pixels. 300 pixels to the inch.

Now go to file, open .... image .... and then type your size in in PIXELS. With a 1050 by 600 you'll have a card completely compatible with the standard paper size. It will look HUGE on your screen, but just reduce the screen to 50% ( which won't affect the pixels but makes it easier to work on).

And voila ... there it is. Works with any sized card. Just make sure you're working in pixels and not inches.

The problem many Gimpers have with the business cards printing out in odd sizes is fact that GIMP offers templates in 72 ppi and 300ppi.

If you open a new image the GIMP default is 480 by 600 pixel image at a 72 ppi resolution. If at this point you enter your card dimensions in INCHES .... 3.5 by 2 inche ..... because the resolution is so low, you'll only get 252 by 144 pixels (which is the 72 ppi resolution for that size). And if you want to print that card in multiples on a standard 8.5 by 11 sheet, you'll find they print way way too small.

Why? Because the GIMP image for that standard paper size ( US-Letter) is 300 ppi. And you don't have enough pixels because you've created your card in only 72 pixels per inch rather than the 300 you need. So your card "shrinks" when you past it into a 300 ppi image.

But you can toss all this tech stuff out the door if you just remember a simple formula. Multiply inches by pixels. 300 pixels to the inch.

Now go to file, open .... image .... and then type your size in in PIXELS. With a 1050 by 600 you'll have a card completely compatible with the standard paper size. It will look HUGE on your screen, but just reduce the screen to 50% ( which won't affect the pixels but makes it easier to work on).

And voila ... there it is. Works with any sized card. Just make sure you're working in pixels and not inches.

Thanks ... I'm wading my way through so much technical stuff which seems so difficult for a newbie. So just wanted to post a simple and easy explanation. My website TheGimpWimp.WordPress.Com was started to offer wimpy simple explanations ... for wimps like me.

The completely accurate answer is to use the Advanced Options to set the DPI, and then enter the physical size in whatever measurement unit you fancy (metric or imperial)(the vast majority of Gimp users are in countries that use the metric system(*)).

How do you create a double sided business card? I see that Maffe adeptly accomplished this, but I can't find a tutorial or post anywhere that walks through this particular aspect of business card making.

If you use GIMP 2.6 you can use TheGimpWimp.wordpress.com template. It will print centered on standard 8.5x 11 card stock. Just create your obverse side and print. It doesn't work with the later version of GIMP which prints off-center. Remember that the template itself is a "tweak" which the GIMP program doesn't provide. And this template is not metric.